Archive · 11 Sep 2026
Ganguly Defends CAB Transparency Amid Age and Ticketing Controversies
The Cricket Association of Bengal is preparing for elections on September 24.
Some people have accused the association of problems with player ages and cricket tickets.
Sourav Ganguly, its president, rejected those accusations.
He said CAB checks players’ ages using a 10-member team.
Players who fail the checks or are too old are not allowed to play.
Ganguly said CAB cannot investigate where fake documents originally come from.
He also said World Cup tickets were distributed under BCCI and ICC rules.
He called the criticism politically motivated by the upcoming elections and said it would not damage his reputation.
Sourav Ganguly defended the Cricket Association of Bengal’s age-verification process and World Cup ticket distribution.
The CAB elections and annual general meeting are scheduled for September 24, with nominations closing on September 16.
BJP MLA Ritesh Tiwari alleged irregularities and questioned Ganguly’s responsibility as CAB president.
Ganguly said CAB uses a 10-member verification cell, conducts annual checks and excludes players who exceed age limits or fail verification.
He said World Cup tickets were distributed according to Board of Control for Cricket in India and International Cricket Council guidelines.
- Who
- Sourav Ganguly, the Cricket Association of Bengal president, responded to allegations by BJP MLA Ritesh Tiwari.
- What
- Ganguly defended CAB’s age-verification system and its distribution of complimentary World Cup tickets.
- When
- The comments came ahead of the CAB annual general meeting and elections on September 24; nominations close on September 16.
- Where
- The media interaction took place at Eden Gardens in Kolkata.
- Why
- The allegations and controversy arose during the run-up to CAB elections and concerned alleged age discrepancies and ticket distribution.
Allegations and concerns
Ganguly and CAB’s response
Age verification
Allegations and concerns
Ritesh Tiwari alleged irregularities in Bengal cricket, including concerns over player-age discrepancies.
Ganguly and CAB’s response
Ganguly said CAB has transparent rules, a 10-member verification cell and annual checks, and excludes players who fail verification or reach the age limit.
Responsibility for fraudulent documents
Allegations and concerns
The allegations raised questions about whether the cricket administration should address networks involved in obtaining allegedly fraudulent certificates.
Ganguly and CAB’s response
Ganguly said CAB’s role is limited to verifying documents and excluding players; it cannot determine whether documents came from municipal offices, hospitals or boroughs.
Complimentary World Cup tickets
Allegations and concerns
Critics questioned the distribution of complimentary World Cup tickets ahead of the elections.
Ganguly and CAB’s response
Ganguly said CAB distributed the tickets transparently and followed BCCI and ICC guidelines for hosting World Cup matches.
- AGM and elections
- Scheduled for September 24
- Nomination deadline
- September 16
- CAB age-verification staff
- A 10-member verification cell
- Age checks
- Ganguly said verification will occur every year
- World Cup ticket policy
- CAB says it followed BCCI and ICC guidelines
- Other ticket policy
- For a South Africa Test, CAB said it followed its established policy for honorary associate and life members and other required distributions
- Positions being contested
- Secretary, joint secretary and an Apex Council member
